Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) performs administrative reviews and hears variance requests. When performing an administrative review, BZA hears and decides appeals where it is alleged by an individual that there has been an error made by an administrative official in enforcing the Zoning Ordinance. BZA also hears and decides applications for a variance in order to be relieved from a specific requirement of the Zoning Ordinance. If a variance is to be granted, the following three standards must be established: there must be an extraordinary or exceptional situation or condition pertaining strictly to the property considered; strict application of the Ordinance would result in practical difficulties to, or undue hardship upon, the owner of the property; and the relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the Zoning Ordinance.

The Franklin Board of Zoning Appeals meets in regular session on the first Thursday of each month at 6 PM in the City Hall Boardroom. See the Board of Zoning Appeals checklist for deadline and meeting dates and electronic submittal information.